People in barrels

[Koen G]

This is a stretch, but 

In the wiki for You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., there is a paragraph about how the historical accuracy of the whole story is disputed. A. M. Pizzagalli "suggests that the account has its origins in the meeting between Alexander and the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. in India".

Gymnosophist is Greek for "naked philosopher". They were ascetics who wore no clothing, had a sober diet and did not live in houses. The most prominent tale of Alexander has him subjecting ten naked philosophers to a trial of wisdom in order to prevent their execution.


c. 1420, Historia de proelis

I assume Pizzagalli saw a link between both tales of Alexander meeting ascetic philosophers. If there was some in between form, this may contain ten naked people in barrels. It might be worth it to hunt down the reference: A. M. Pizzagalli (1942–1943). "Influssi buddhistica nella leggenda di Alessandro". Rendiconti dell'Istituto Lombardo. 76: 154&ndash, 160.